Angie Bateman hugs her son, Illinois Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Mitch Bateman, upon his return from deployment.
251212-A-OH563-2259.JPG Photo By: Lt. Col. Brad Leighton, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS - Angie Bateman hugs her son, Illinois Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Mitch Bateman, upon his return from deployment. Staff Sgt. Bateman was one of about 125 Soldiers to arrive at the Chicago Rockford International Airport, Dec. 12, returning from the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment's deployment to the Middle East. About 550 Soldiers from the unit deployed to the Middle East in February where they protected U.S. bases and personnel across seven different nations. The Dec. 12 flight in Rockford was the last group of Soldiers to return home to Illinois. The rest of the Soldiers returned earlier in the day to MidAmerica Airport in Southern Illinois and on three other flights on Dec. 6. (U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Brad Leighton, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)


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